1 




Book \ 

1 (.'KlVKiHT DkPUHir 



Homes of Our Forefathers 



Boston, Old England and 

Boston, New England 



FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY 

EDWIN WHITEEIELD 



E. WHITEFIELD 
;n TREMONT STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 



Copyright by Edwin Whitej i\ 

all rights reserved 



HOMES 



OUR FOREFATHERS 



Boston, England. 



FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS 

By EDWIN WHITEFIELD. 



COPYRIGHT BY EDWIN WHITEFIELD, 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 




BOSTON : 
E. WHITEFIELD, 211 TREMONT STREET. 



* J - 



[ DEDICATI THIS BOOK 



Id MY I1K1.DVKD WIFE 



W illlci U T WHOSE SYMPATHY V N 13 V S S I ST A N ( I 
I I WOl I.I' NEVER HAVI BEEN COMPLETED 



E. WIIITEFIELD 



•.v 



PREFACE. 

In presenting this work to the public I wish to say a few words. 

Last year I visited England for the special purpose of sketching and hunt- 
ing up whatever there might be of interest in the Boston which gave its name to our 
own city, and I thought that by bringing together in one volume the two Bostons, 
I could produce a work which would be much more interesting than if they were 
published separately. 

I can honestly say that no labor, time, or expense has been spared in accom- 
plishing this object : and I have endeavored to the best of my ability to produce a 
work of which Bostonians, both English and American, will not be ashamed. It 
is not in some respects all that I could desire, but where any imperfections have 
occurred they were unavoidable, and will, I trust, be not too severely criticised. 

I need scarcelv say to those who have seen my other work, "Homes of our 
Forefathers in the Six New England States," that this volume has been gotten up 
in a far more expensive style; and I Hatter myself that a generous public will ap- 
preciate the effort I have made to please them. 

In conclusion, I wish to return my sincere thanks to those who have given 
me information respecting the buildings herein represented. 

The Aspinwall House, now in Brookline, when built stood on land that 
formed part of Boston. 



(3) 



INDEX 



ENGLAND. 



Alms House 14 

Bridge [6 

Burton House }8 

Chantry Chapel 24 

Cotton, Rev. John iSv 

Foxe's Birthplace 26 v/ 

Flemish House 36 * 

Grammar School 2S S 

Guildhall 22v 

Heron's Hall 52^ 

Historical Notes 9-10 

House on Church Street .... 40- 



House on Archer Lane 
House on Stanbow Lane 
Hussey Castle .... 
Jerusalem House . . . 
Knight's Tomb .... 

L \nv's Tomb 

Monastery 

Rochford Tower . . . 
St. Botolph's Church . 
Shod Friar's Hall . . 
Three Tuns Inn . . . 
White Horse Inn . . . 



33 



NEW ENGLAND. 



Aspinwall House u-" 

Auciimuty House 64^ 

Badger House 106' 

Blackstone House 138^ 

Blake House 100 ■• 

CAPEN House 1-4 

Christ Church 132^ 



Clough House 



98 



Clough-Vkrnon House [30 

Crafts House 74^ 

Curtis House 7 > v 

Fverett House 
Fanueil House 



102 < 
10S' 



First Meeting House 136" 



Galloupe House . . 
Gardner House . . . 
Gray House .... 
Green Dragon Tavern 
Hancock Tavern . . 
Hartt House . . . 
Kimball-Parker House 



86 ^ 

70 

80 

S2 



King's Chapel . . . 
Lincoln House . . . 
Mather-Eliot House 
Newman House . . . 
Old Feather Store . 
ochtorlony house 
Old Corner Bookstore 
Old State House . . 
Old South Meeting Ho 
Paul Revere House . 
Pierce House 
Province House 
Sheafe House 
Shirley House 
Sun Tavern 
Thoreau House 
Tileston House 
Tremere House 
Warren House 
Wells House 



114 1 
120 * 
us 

go* 

94 
128 
HO 

59 
134 

96 
6S 
^4 
62 
66 
60 

7^ 
126 

9- 
~i- ' 
104 



(5) 



HISTORICAL NOTES. 

Boston in Lincolnshire, England, is situated on both sides of the 
Withani River, at a distance of about six miles from its mouth. There is a 
probability that the Romans had some kind of a settlement in this neighbor- 
hood, or perhaps lower down the river, in order to prevent pirates from 
ascending the Witham and attacking their city of Lindum, now Lincoln, as 
the river was deeper then than it is now, and vessels of considerable size 
could ascend as far up as Lincoln. 

But it is not until the middle of the seventh century that we have any 
definite knowledge of this place, then called Yecanhoe, or Icanhoe. 

According to an old writer. John of Tynemouth, a monastery was 
founded here by St. Botolph in the year 650, and he died here A.D. 680. 
This monastery, and whatever settlements might have been connected with 
it, was destroyed by the Danes in the year 870 ; and from this period until 
1090 we have no record of what transpired. But it is certain that there was 
at that time some kind of a village ; for we are informed that in that year 
Alan, Earl of Brittany, gave a church, as the gift of the Church of St. Botolph, 
to the abbey of St. Mary at York. 

In the reign of Henry II., about 1160, we find that Boston, then called 
St. Botolph's Town, was the property of Conan, Earl of Richmond. After 
his death, in 1171, it belonged to the Crown, until 1241. During this time 
Boston must have been growing, for we hear of the manufacture of woolen 
cloths being carried on here to a considerable extent. 

The commerce of Boston, also, must have been considerable at this 
early date, for even in 1205 the share of taxes paid by Boston was greater 
than that of any other port in England except London, the latter paying 
£836, and Boston £789. 

The merchants of Flanders and the Hanseatic League carried on a 
large trade with Boston about this time, and some of them occupied houses 
there ; the remains of two or three of which may still be seen. 

In 1285 Boston must have been surrounded by a wall, as a grant was 
made by Edward I. of a toll to the burgesses of Boston in aid of repairing 
said wall. 

This grant is very interesting for many reasons, and especially to show 
that the people of that period enjoyed not only the necessaries, but most of the 
luxuries, that their descendants do at the present time. 

The following is a partial list : — 

For every one hundred pounds of pepper, ginger, cinnamon, one 
farthing. 

For every one hundred pounds of sugar, liquorice, and pimentum, one 
farthing. 

For every frail of raisins and figs, one farthing. 

Every barrel of steel wire, one farthing. 

(9) 



For every one hundred pounds of wax, rice, and almonds, one half- 
penny. 

For every one hundred pounds of cloves, mace, nutmegs, one penny. 
For every one hundred pounds of saffron and silk, one penny. 
Ton of hone)', one penny. 
For every one thousand yards of best gray cloth, one penny, etc. 

During the century from 1200 to 1300, Boston suffered severely from 
several floods. 

In 1369 Boston was made a staple town for the sale of wool, leather, 
etc. This word "staple" was applied in the commerce of the Middle Ages; 
in the first instance to the towns in which the chief products of a country 
were sold, and afterward to the merchandise sold at these towns. 

From this period until the present time, Boston has increased in wealth 
and population very slowly, and now numbers only about 25,000 people. 



do) 



ST. BOTOLPH'S CHURCH. 

This elegant structure, claimed to be the largest parish church (with- 
out cross aisles) in Europe, was commenced A.U. 1309, in the third year of 
Edward II. ; and in the following year Dame or Lady Margaret Tilney laid 
the foundation stone, on which she, Sir John Truesdale, and Richard Steven- 
son laid £5 each as contributions toward the expenses. 

Two hundred years passed away before this building was finished. 

It is 300 feet long and 100 feet wide within the walls ; and the tower, 
claimed to be the tallest and noblest in Europe, is 300 feet in height, including 
the lantern. It can be seen at a distance of 40 miles by land, and at a still 
greater distance by sea. The walls are built of stone, and the roof is hand- 
somely ceiled with oak, supported by tall and slender pillars. 

Before the building of the tower the church was adorned by four 
turrets, two of which still remain. 

Restorations have at various times been made to this church. In 1854 
the southeast chapel was restored at cost of $3,250 by some citizens of Boston, 
Mass., as a memorial to the Rev. John Cotton, a former vicar of this church, 
who emigrated to New England in 1633. 

Here are some interesting statistics : — 
Steps to the tower, 365 ; corresponding to days in a year. 
Windows in church, 52 ; corresponding to weeks in a year. 
Pillars in church, 12 ; corresponding to months in a year. 
Doors in church, 7 ! corresponding to days in a week. 
Steps to library, 24 ; corresponding to hours in a day. 
Stairs to chancel, 60; corresponding to minutes in an hour. 



" 



SHOD FRIARS' Hill. 

til'ul building, erected within the last twenty years, is in 

val style of architecture ; but whether 

ted in the early days by the Shod Friars I have 

■ :m. It is wi-11 worthy of a visit. 

rother) were mendicant orders in the Roman Catholic 

rral varieties, or brotherhoods, such as the 

k, et< .. and some <>f them went barefooted. I do not know 

■ this hall belonged. 

i mendicant 1 1 • 1 i ^ i« m •- tramps, ami Chaucer 
<i upon in liis day : — 

'.ili that In- knoweth I lell, 
it wot that is but littel wonder : 
■\ (iends are but litu-l asunder." 









TIT 




THE CHURCH U.Ms HOUSE. 

is probably the oldest, or at all events one of the oldest, houses 

It stands (in Wormgate Street, opposite St. 

■i is reputed t>> have been built before the church. 

rstahlishment of poorhouses in England there were church 

h in .t measure supplied their place : and here, at stated times, 

\\ came to receive money, clothes, or food. This is a brick 

building, and bears the maw il antiquity. 



(«4) 



THE 'BRIDGE. 

In ilit year 1305 a patenl grant was made to the town of St. Botolph 

loi tin- support "i a bridge, and in 1328 another patent grant was made for a 

toll, tn keep the bridge in repair. This old bridge, which was built of wood, 

id not stand where the present one dues, and it was probabrj removed about 

ir i ;"<>■ and another built. 

a number of bridges have been built and rebuilt since that time, 

ind in 1802 it was decided to ereel a new one of iron, which was opened for 

avel in 1807. The total expense of this elegant and substantial structure 

o ($i 10,00 

rch '•) this bridge is eighty-six feet in span, and the breadth of the 

bout forty feet. The abutments are placed very low, so that the con- 

t\ "I the arch offers scarcely any obstacle to the passage over the bridge, 

ed across in very nearly a horizontal direction. 



1 



HI I . fOHN CO! TON'S VICARAGE. 

Mi. [ohn Ci)tton was the son of Rowland Cotton, and was born al 
December |th. 1585. While pursuing his academical studies at 
Km. m>. { manifested such strength of judgment and extent <>l 

made him admired by the most eminent men of the University. 
!li- w.i- settled as minister in Boston, remaining there twenty years: but 
atisfied thai the Church of England was not much more than hall 
nd openly declaring these opinions, he was threatened with perse- 
cution, lie appealed t" his friend the Earl of Dorset; who, after warmly 
ding "it his behalf with the Archbishop of Canterbury, informed Mr. 
I iliat it lie had been guilt} "i drunkenness, uncleanness, or any such 

Mult he could have obtained his pardon; hut as he was guilty of 
Puritanism mformity, his crime was unpardonable; and therefore 

him to flee for his safety. This advice he t"<>h: and with two 
other ministers, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, embarked mi board the same 
Mew England, — arriving there September 3d, 1633. He was 
soon afterward selected as their first minister by the Winthrop Colony, 
s generally supposed, named their settlement Boston, in honor 
"i Mr. Cotton. Here he lived respected and beloved until his death. 
which took place December 2.51!. 1652, in the sixty-eighth year of his 
lb- was buried in what is now called Kind's Chapel Burying 
nd. 







4r 







ROCHFORD TOWER. 

Rochfords were an ancient and noble family. Raymond de 

>rd Ih-IiI property in Boston as earl} as [293, and may have built this 

ndant of his. Sir John R.. was famous for his long travels 

kalv, etc., and he also translated Josephus' History. He was 

I li^h Sheriff of Lincolnshire during the reign of Richard 1 1. 

In the fifteenth century this property passed out of the Rochford 
family into that of the Kymes ; but whether by intermarriage or purchase is 
nol know n. 

erward fell into the hands of the Crown b) sequestration, and is 
now the properl Dean and Chapter of Westminster. 

This tower is built of brick, and quadrangular, having an octagon 
turret 011 it-, southeast angle, which contains a flight of seventy steps, com- 
municating with the upper apartments. The top is covered with lead, and 
d with an embattled parapet. This tower had formerly a moat around 
it. which is now filled up. 







; 



















THE CHI 1. 1) til 1.1.. 

This is on South Street, and is a very ancient building, originally 

M- i" the Guild of the Blessed Mary; and built probablj as earl) as 

i|i«i, now used 1>\ the mayor and corporation as a Town Hall, also for 

public meetings, lectures, etc. The front, represented in the engraving, is 

what dilapidated, and shorn of much of its architectural beauty. 

It was given to the corporation ol Boston in 1554, 1\\ 1 tenry VI 1 1 .. and 
i'\ : 1 1 < • 1 1 1 for theii corporate and judicial proceedings. 
Massive pinnacles formed) decorated the sides as well as the centei 
'•1 th<- gable. The large window is still in a tolerable state of preservation. 






A CHANTRY CHATEL. 

This old building, which stood on South Place, was in all probability 
a chantry, and was doubtless erected at a very early date. 

A chantry was a building erected in Roman Catholic countries In per- 
sons who It-it legacies for tin- purpose of having masses sung or chanted for 
the benefit <>i their souls, ami such persons were generally buried under 
them. 

These buildings were sometimes erected separately, but were generally 
attached to churches and monastic establishments. In cathedrals and large 
churches they were generally constructed within the church, often within 
the piers, and were usually enriched with sculpture and elaborate tracery, 
and adorned with gilding and painting. 



' 



fOHN FOXE'S BIRTHPLACE. 

This building has been greatly altered, and would not now be recog- 
nized from the accompanying picture, which represents it as it was in 1517. 
when Foxe was born. lit- was sent early to Oxford College, where he at- 
tained greal proficiency in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Before he left college 
he abandoned the Roman Catholic faith, and this being discovered he was 
expelled, and for mam years suffered much from persecution. During the 
reign of Mary he was obliged to leave his native land, seeking refuge in 
[Jasle. After the death of Mary he returned to England, 1559. and died in 
I. Minhm. 15*7. in the seventieth year of his age. 

Besides the book by which he is best known, the "Book ol Martyrs.'' 
he wrote many other learned works, mostly ol a controversial character. 






Illl- GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 

This school, which is built of brick, was erected by the mayor and 

ses of the town in [567, being tin- ninth year of Queen Elizabeth's 
reign. Over the entrance is a tablet stating this fact. 

The lirst head master was Walter Woodroffe, and his salary was H20 
($100) per annum. 

The plot of ground in which this school stands was called the Mart 
Yard, by reason that the great annual fair was held in it. 



28 



HUSSEY CASTLE. 

This old tower stands in an inclosure on the fasten) side of St. 
John's Row, and is only the main portion of an extensive building erected 
\ by Sir William Hussey, in the reign oi Edward IV. He was chief 
justice of the Court of King's Bench in 1481. A descendant of his who 
was made a baron by I lenry VI 1 1 .. and who had main other honors conferred 
upon him. having abetted an insurrection by the people "i Lincolnshire 
against a subsidy that had been imposed en them, he was in |une. 1538, he- 
headed at the city of Lincoln, and all his property confiscated to the Crown. 
This portion "i it \\ as afterw ard given t<> the tow n of Boston, which still retains 
• a it. h is built of brick, and is in a ver\ ruinous condition. 
There is a strong probability that fohn (r. Whittier, the poet, is a de- 
dant, on his grandmother's side, of this family. 






OLD MONASTERY. 

This is a portion of a I >ominican monastery standing on Sibsey Lane ; 

i man} years after the suppression ol the religious houses in the time 
■ ■I Henry VIII. this was used for various purposes, mostly for storage, but is 
now in such a dilapidated condition that it will probably never be repaired. 

It dates back to about 1300 or thereabouts. All the four orders of 
mendicant friars were established in Boston soon after A.M. [300, and in [380 

I quarrel and battle took place among these friars, in which many were 
killed and wounded. 






OLD HOUSE ON ARCHER LANE. 

This is a very quaint old building, dating hack, probablj . to the reign 
oi Edward III., if not still older. It is very dilapidated, and nothing about its 
history can be gleaned that is at all reliable. 



■ 




£ 31' -« 



FLEMISH MERCHANT'S HOUSE. 

This is a portion of a large house standing on Mitre Lane, which is 
believed to have been built by a Flemish merchant, in the reign of Edward 
I. Tin- initials E. K. (Edward Rex) arc plainly marked on the gable. It 
is now in a very dilapidated condition, and is mostl) used as a storehouse. 






WHITE HORSE INN. 

This stood «'ii White Horse Lam-. It is mentioned in 1564, and was 
held of Hussey Hall. This was a verj ancient house, and was kept as an 
inn until about [680, when the license was removed to Furthend Lane. In 
1674 this house was held by James Cook, who paid one pound of cummin 

earh to Hussey Hall. This was a verj curious old building. The 
principal door, it will be observed, is in what is usually called the old Dutch 
style. 






1NCIENT HOUSE ON CHURCH STREET. 

Thi is a very ancient building; but little or nothing that is reliable 
i an be ascertained respecting it. It is used as a depository for religious pub- 
lications. It was probably built about 1470. 



■ 



CURIOUS HOUSE ON STAN BO W LANE. 

is a very curious ancient house. It belonged to the Robinson 
i.miih, . formerly of great distinction and influence, and must have been built 
as earh as [570, and probably much earlier. The second door to the right 
is a curious one. and the ornamentation of the upper part of the house is verj 
peculiar indeed. The large window is of course modern. In the interior are 
:ine specimens of carved work. 
The first Mayor of Boston was Nicholas Robinson, in 1545. 






TOMB Oh' A KNIGHT. 

This is the effigy of a Knight wrought in alabaster, but has neither coat of 
arms nor inscription. It is probable from the dress and sculpture of this 
figure that it belongs to the thirteenth century. These ancient tombs are 
placed under low arches in the wall, which m> doubt were constructed for 
this purpose. This figure probably represents Sir Frederick Tilney, who 
accompanied Richard the Li on -hearted to the crusades. 

This knight was of more than ordinary stature and strength, and per- 
formed prodigies of valor in the various battles fought for the possession of 
the I Ioly Land. 

■• The knight is dust. 
IN- good sword rust. 
His soul is with the saints we trust." 



H 



TOMB OF A LADY. 

By some this is supposed to represent Dame Margaret Tilney, who 
laid the foundation stone of St. Botolph's Church; hut as the inscriptions 
have been obliterated we are left to conjecture ; but there can be no doubt that 
this is the effigy of some fair and noble lady, who doubtless presided as the 
Queen ol Love and Beauty at many a joust and tournament in the days oi 
auld lang syne. 

'•Now caracoled the steeds in air, 

Now plumes and pennons wantoned fair, 
As all around the lists SO wide 

In panoply the champions ride. 

This knight his youthful strength to prove, 

Ami that to win his lady's love." 



■■■ 



, 



I ! i I 



HARNHAM-Kl !R TON HOI 'S7: . 

The heirs of Richard Wyles occupied a house at what is now called 
Burton Corner, in i6ii, then called Barnham House for which they paid a 
quit-rent to the lords of Poynton Hall of io£d (22 cents) and half a pound of 
pepper. In 1661 this property was held b\ Andrew Burton, and his grand- 
son John paid the above quit-rent in 1692. 

This is a most charming place, as may readily be seen by looking at 
tin- opposite page. 



i 



THE JERUSALEM HOUSE. 

The site of the Hospital of St. John was on the west side of Bargate 
Drain : but nothing now remains of it except an old building called Jerusalem 
House; lint whether this is one of the original buildings, or whether some of 
the materials of the hospital were used in the erection of this house, is uncer- 
tain : at all events this is a very interesting and very old building. The 
Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitallers, as the) were also 
called, had a Hospital in Boston, and two noted masters of the Order 
belonged here. One of them, Alexander de Poynton, was master of the 
Hospital outside of St. Botolph's in 1276; and another was Sir Wm. Weston, 
the last Lord Prior of England, at the time of the dissolution of the Order, 
in 1 5 jo. He died on the day tin- Priors- was suppressed. 








jfc.-ii-* ■ ■ 
2 aMP* 



I 



///■ROWS HALL. 

This was a fine old mansion, ol considerable extent, and was called 
Heron's and sometimes Hernshaw Hall. The stones used in its erection were 
said tu haw been taken from the church of St. John of Jerusalem, when that 
building was pulled down, so that this building would probably date back t<> 
about 1580, about which time this church was ordered to be taken down. 







HU 



THE THREE TUNS INN. 

This was a noted old tavern, and among other things is famous from 
the circumstance that Oliver Cromwell slept here the night before he fought 
the battle of Winceby, one of the most important engagements during the 
Civil War. 

This is .1 very curious building, on account of the peculiar zigzag 
style of arranging the brickwork. 



54) 







BOHfoWilHi 



HOMES 



OUR FOREFATHERS 



BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND. 



FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS 

BY EDWIN WHITEFIELD. 



COPYRIGHT BY EDWIN WHITBFIBL 
ALL RIGHTS RHSBRYED. 



BOSTON : 
E. WHITEFIELD, 211 TREMONT STREET. 



THE OLD STATE HOUSE. 

The following is a clear and succinct history of the famous old build- 
ing: •■ On this spot stood, until its burning, Oct. 3, 171 c, the first town house 
of Boston, founded in 1657 by the liberality ofCapt. Robert Keayne. Here, 
in 1713, was erected the second town house, whose walls endure to this day. 
as do the doors and root", constructed in 17 17, after a second tire had devas- 
tated its chambers. Here the loyal assemblies obeyed the Crown ; here the 
spirit of liberty was aroused and guided by the eloquent appeals and saga- 
cious counsels of Otis. Adams, Quincy, Warren, Cushing, and Hancock: 
here the child Independence was born: here Washington received the tribute 
of an enfranchised people : here was installed the government oi a new Stale : 
here for ten years our civil rulers assembled : and here, by the vote oi the 
City Council of 1881, have been reconstructed, in their original form, the 
Council Chamber and Representatives' Hall, — hallowed by the memories ot 
the Revolution. May our children preserve the sacred trust." 






SUN TAVERN. 

vard Bendall, the lirst owner of this estate, established in 1637, by 

"to Noddle's Island" (East Boston), "and 

t> before the town." \ Cove, called BendalPs Cove, at that 

1 from the : I- the 

lied by Faneuil Hall, Quinc) Market, and the granite 

■ the harbor, and at the head of the Cove, directly in front of the 

dock, afterward called the Town Dock, from which 

Square derives its name. 

• iid. ill. the estate came into the possession of Symon Lynde, 

i England, who died in [687 ; and in his will, dated [685, he 

mentions "having already given and bestowed upon and unto each of my two 

. Samuel and Nathaniel, considerable estate, of and in which they are 

d and possessed." The Sun Tavern estate fell to Samuel Lynde, and is 

referred to as ••tin- house ol the -aid Samuel Lynde" in a conveyance from 

Elisha Hutchinson to Benjamin Fitch, dated Jul) jj. i;oj. It was probably 

presented Samuel by his father, as his portion, upon the occasion of his mar- 

, ■ . and was occupied l>\ him as a residence probably until after 

the year 17c hi. 

I tyle of architecture (with the two projections), and the framing 
1 the house, indicate it as one i>i tin- earliest of tin- colonial struct- 
and mode of building being in vogue much earlier than 1676. 
and hut little used in towns after that date. Although tin- two stories are. re- 
spectively, hut eight feet, and seven and a halt' feet in height, the principal 
timber- an- ol clear pine, twelve inches square, and the smaller framing of 
white oak, six inches square. Tin- marks, still upon the timbers, prove that 
they were hewn by hand, and were undoubtedly cut from the immediate 
vicinit) . 

The first reference t" it as a public house is in a conveyance by Samuel 
Lynde t<> Benjamin Fitch, dated Nov. 30, 1709,111 which it is called •• the 
Sun Tavern, now oi 1 upied h\ Thomas Phillips." 

In 17J1 Samuel Meers was the landlord, who. in 1 7 j 7 . was "lately 
deceased." By the will of Samuel Lynde, dated July jo. [720, he gives 
and bequeaths unto his daughter, Mary Valentine, and her husband, fohn 
mine 1 aftei legacies), all his real and personal estate (" part of which 
was the Sun Tavern, with the tenement, shops, and land, at the head of the 
Town l> >n"), and in 17.(1 it was com eyed b\ Thomas Valentine 

to Joseph Jacks.m, for twenty-four hundred and seventy pounds ■•in good 
bills oi 1 redit on the Pro\ ince." 

kepi In Captain James Day. in 1755. and the Scots' Charitable 

held their meetings in it in 1750. During the siege of Boston it was 

taken possession of by the British, who changed its name to the "King's 

It remained in possession of the heirs of the Lynde family until 1 7 j 1 . 
and -nice then it has had but four owners. It is now the property oi Mr. 
t- ha \\ Galloupe, in whose possession it has been tor more than a quarter 

oi ,ii entury. 

It i- probably the oldest, and certainly one of the most interesting, of 
the lew remaining colonial buildings in existence in this city. 

60 



THE CHILD-SHE AFE HOUSE. 

This noted house stood al the corner of Essex and Columbia Streets, 
and was taken down a few years since. It was built by Thos. Child, a 
native <>i' Boston, England, about 1728, who lived here for many years in 
grand style. The property afterward fell into the hands of the Sheafe 
family, and at the breaking oul of the War. Lord Percy made this house his 
headquarters. The Sheafe famih was a noted one in many respects. One 
iers, Roger Sheafe, a great favorite of Lord Percy, became a 
prominent general in the British army, under the title of Sir Roger Hale 
Sheafe, Bart., and died in Edinburgh, 1851. 






THE AUCHMU1Y HOUSE. 

This fine old house stands at the corner of Washington and Cliff 

Streets, and was built by fudge" Auchmuty, probably about 1756. He was a 

member of Governor Hutchinson's Council. When the British evacuated 

rem ed to Halifax, and the property was confiscated to the State. 

G ernoi Sumner lived in this house and died here, and here his body 
lay in state before it was removed to the State House. 

The First Baptist Society of Roxbury was gathered in this house, and 

here Rev. Dr. Sharp preached the first sermon. 

During the Civil War all the work of the Roxbury Sanitary Society 
was collected in this house, and sent to the general office. It is now the 
residence of Mr. C. F. Bradford. 



Ch) 



THE SHIRLEY HOUSE. 

This large and handsome mansion, standing on Shirley Street. Roxbury, 
was built by Governor Shirley, and here he died, March J4. 1771- It is said 
that most <it" the materials composing it were brought from England. The 
surroundings of this house are now very different to what they once were. 

Ii is also called the Eustis House, as at a later date Governor Eustis 
lived 1 

Win. Shirley was born in Sussex. England, 1694, and was commis- 
sioned Governor of Massachusetts, as successor to Belcher, in 1741- He was 
one of the most popular of the royal governors, and it was during his control 
that the strong fortress of Louisburg was captured from the French. 

Washington, Lafayette, franklin, and other distinguished men have 
been the guests of this house. 



(66) 



THE PIERCE MANSION. 

This house, which stands on Oak Avenue, in what was formerly the 
town of Dorchesti part of Boston, was built by Robert Pierce, in the 

year 1640, ten years after he arrived from England in the ship Mary ami 

John. It was ipied by him until his death, [664, and since that time until 

the present has always been owned and occupied by his lineal descendants, 
representing nine generations of the family in this country. 

Bi ides the wills and deeds of the property, many interesting articles 
of furniture have been preserved by the family; and among other things 
bread or biscuit brought by Robert from England. 

The house is in a good state of preservation, and has been but little 
ged b\ repairs. 

It is quite probable that the name " Pierce " is a variation oi Percy, 
the names of the noted border chieftains of Northumberland, so often cele- 
brated in ballad and legend. 



(68) 



THE G/tRTDNER HOUSE. 

This is a very old house on Pleasant Street, in Dorchester, built in 
all probability at least 200 years ago, but by whom cannot be ascertained. 
Ebenezer Niles lived here in the early part of the century. lie was a 

■it on Central Wharf, Boston, of the firm of Newell >S: Nfiles; but 
whether an ancestor of his built the house is uncertain. It afterward came 
int.) possession o( the Gardner family, and was sold very recently, and will 
either be taken down or moved to another place. The rounded corners ol 
this house were added by Governor Gardner's father. 






fe&y&a 




THE WARREN HOUSE. 

This house was built by Gen. Jos. Warren's grandfather, in 1720. It 
was used as quarters by Col. Dav. Brewer's regiment in 1775. It was pulled 
down by Dr. |. C. Warren in [846, and a stone house built on the spnt 
where tin- old one stood. 

Gen. [os. W'ancn, one of the first martyrs to the cause of liberty in 
New England, was horn in this house. June 11. 1741. He was one ol the 
must talented, tearless, and active of the early patriots. 

This view is from a model. 






THE CRAFTS HOUSE. 

This house is situated on Tremonl Street, near the Brookline line, and 
is one of the oldest in Boston, ft was built in 170^. by Jno. Ruggles. Back 
.,1 ihe house is the orchard where all the celebrated Roxbury russets origi- 
nated. Some of the apple trees measure now more than twelve feet in 
circumference. 

\n 1 lamination of the title to this house and the four-acre orchard in 
which it stands, shows that until very recently it had never been conveyed by 
deed. 

In [639 ii was granted by the town ol Boston to Thos. Ruggles, who, 
five years later. " knowynge all men must dye," left it by will to his son 
John. In October, [658, ••John Ruggles, being by God's hand weak in body 
yet light in memory, blessed be (i<>d." made his will, which was approved at 
a "Meetinge of the Magistrates, giving this home 1< »tt to his sonne fohn," who 
owned it until [705, when it passed, by agreement, to his relative Eben Crafts, 
ed in [722, and the lot descended to his son Eben, who lived in this 
house until 1789, when he died and left it to his son Eben, who resided here 
seventy-five years, and died in lS6.|. His trustees sold the old house and 
home lot to Stillman I!. Allen. Esq., and this was the first ^^d ever made of 

the premises, 



74) 



THE CUR'/ IS HOUSE. 

This interesting old house stood near the Boylston Station on the 
Providence Road. It was taken down about three years since. It was built 
by William Curtis, about [640, and was always in possession of his descend- 
ants until its recent sale. Washington occupied it for a short time at the com- 
■ Revolutionar} War. 






THE THOREAU HOUSE. 

This old building stands on Prince Street. It is in a very dilapidated 
condition. It is chiefly noted for having been for man}- years owned by the 
Thoreau family. 

Jno. Thoreau, grandfather of Henry, the well-known and somewhat 
eccentric writer. < B -ton from the Island of Jersey, in 177.,. and soon 

afterward bought this house of the Orrok family. It was at that time about 
fifty years old. having been built about 1720 by a man named Sherwin. The 

i <>f the Thoreaus to Concord, where Henry was born, took place in 
1800. but this property remained until recently in possession of Maria Tho- 
reau, the last of this family. 






THE GEE-GRAY HOUSE. 

This building stands on Prince Street, at the corner of Lafayette Ave- 
nue. It \\ as pn ibably built by the Rev. Joshua Gee ; at all events it belonged 
i" him when he died, in 1750. This house was used as a military hospital 
during the occupation of Boston h\ the British troops, especially after the 
battle of Bunker I [ill. 

It was afterward noted for having been the residence of Capt. Wm. 
Gray, who was a noted ship-owner, and who built Gray's Wharf. It is now 
in a dilapidated condition, and will probably soon disappear. 



So) 



GREEN DRAGON INN. 

This was in its day a very famous tavern, especially preceding and 
during the Revolutionary troubles. It was probably built by Deputy-Gov- 
ernor Stoughton, ami it afterward had many owners. In [695 it was kept by 
Alex. Smith. In 171,^ it became the property of Dr. Win. Douglas, the cele- 
brated Scotch physician. 

This interesting old building stood '>n Union Street, and there is a 
stone tablet in the front wall of Nos. S0-N6. showing the dragon carved in 
relief. It was taken down in iSjS. 

The first religious servic es 1 if the Sandemanians were held here, in 1 7' i | . 

At the breaking out of the Revolutionary troubles it was a prominent 
resort of the leading patriots. 

This is evident from the following sample of patriotic poetry pub- 
lished at this period : — 

"Rally, Mohawks! bring out your axes, 
And tell King George we'll pay no taxes 

( )n his foreign tea. 
His threats are vain : he need not think 
To force our wives and girls to drink 

His vile Bohea ! 
Then rally, boys ! and hasten on 
To meet our chiefs at the Green Dragon." 



(82) 



////:' PROVINCE HOUSE. 

riir Province House was situated about sevenrj feet west of what is 
now Washington Street, almost opposite the Old South Church, with ample 
grounds filled with shrubbery and flower gardens, and altogether a must 
attractive place. It was built in 1679 for a private residence by Peter Sar- 
geant, a wealthy London merchant, who came here a tew years before. In 
17 i'' the Pro\ ince purchased it for the use of the < fo\ ernment, and se\ era! of 

al governors afterward made it their place of abode. Alter the Revo- 
lution it was occupied for State offices until the present State House was com- 
pleted. In r8ii it was granted to the Massachusetts General Hospital, who 

; t for ninety-nine years to David Greenough. In [864 it w a_s nearly 
destroyed by lire. What has been left of it is so surrounded by other build- 
ings that it is difficult to trace its remains. The vane, made of copper and 

nting an Indian, has been preserved, and is owned by the Massachu- 
setts I listoi ii ,ii Society . 



(84) 



//// g ///' u /'/■ //' n si . 

Hou e," No. t6 I lull Street, was erected in 17:1 In a 

Mr. Clough, and was purchased bj Mr. Benjamin Gallop (afterward tailed 

Galloupe ), in 177-. who died in 1776. just after the Declaration of [ndepend- 

The estate then became the property of his youngest son, Richard, 

and after Richard's death was inherited b\ the youngest daughter, who mar- 

; ■ . William Marble, and w as sold In him in 1 S77. a short time alter the 
death of his wife. 

This house was occupied by the British troops in 1775. and was the 
headquarters oi General Gage <>n the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Its 
timbers were cut in the vicinity. 

Benjamin Gallop, owner of the so-called "Galloupe House," on 1 lull 

Street, was the grandsi 1 !'■ na lam Gallop, who in [688, as second officer 

oi the Sloop Mary. — Capt. Samuel Pease, Commander (who was fatall) 
1 during the engagement) , — captured the notorious pirate Tom 
round, who was afterward hung in chains upon the (then) island called 
e, in Boston 1 [arbor. 

The grandfather of this Benadam was the sou of Capt. John Gallop, 
who was slain at the famous Narragansetl Swamp fight, in [676, while in 
command oi his own company and the Mohegan Indians, and the grandson 
oi Capt. John Gallop, who. in 1636, in Narragansett Bay, captured the vessel 
which was taken In the Indians from John Oldham, and of whom Cooper, in 
his Naval History, says, foughl ■•the first engagement that probabl) ever 
occurred between the inhabitants of the American Colonies ami enemies 

afloat." 

"Gallop's tsland," in Boston Harbor, was owned and occupied by the 
lattei Captain John ; and the island of Nix's Male, upon which the pirate was 
hung, was also granted to him in 1636, by the Colonial Government, and con- 
tained at that time twelve acn of high land, all of which has since entirely 

ued. 



(86) 



HANCOCK TAYERN. 

In a narrow alley leading oul of Faneuil Hall Square, called Corn 
Court, stands an ancient hostelrj . which claims to be the oldest inn now 
remaining in Boston; but it has been so changed that it bears little resem- 

to the original building, which doubtless was not more than t\\.. 
high. There is little doubt that the present building occupies the site of the 
first inn built in Boston, by Samuel Cole, in [634. 'This building has long 
since disappeared, and the present brick structure was erected about 1 7 s< '- 
or thereabouts, and it was. like the Green Dragon, a place of resort by the 
patriots in the early Revolutionary days. It was not known by its present 
name until after the election of John Hancock as Governor, in 1780, when 
John Duggan was the landlord. 

During the last days of the eighteenth century this inn was the favor- 
of noted foreigners who visited this country, among win mi ma} be 
mentioned Talleyrand and Louis Philippe, [t was also a favorite resort of 
I '" njamin Franklin. 



88 



NEWMAN HOUSE. 

COR. SALEM VND SHI VFE STR I 

This was probably built by Jonathan Dwight, about 17^7. He sold il 
in 17) 1 to Thos. Newman. R bert, one of his sons, was Christ 

Church, and was und mbtedl) the man who hung the lanterns in the tower 
as a signal to Revere. British officers were quartered in the house, but 
young Newman climbei 1- window to the back shed, which is shown 

in the view, and then easily jumped to the ground, whence, having the keys, 
he entered the church, and having hung the lanterns returned to his room in 
the same way, without having any suspicions attached to him. It is possible 
he was arrested, but nothing could be prosed against him. 

It has been recently taken dovs n. 









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THE PAIhlE-TREMERE HOUSE. 

This is probably the oldest brick house now remaining in Boston. It 
was probably built by John Paine, and he sold it to Wm. Downe, in [674. It 
stands at the extreme end of North Street, and has long been in posses- 
ere familj . 

Its peculiarities may be seen at a glance: the heavy bands, the vari- 
ous shapes of the windows, its massive chimneys, etc., are well worthy ol 
notice; and the reai of the house, as well as the interior, arc well worth a 
visit. 






7 HE OLD FEATHER STORE. 

'This old and w ell-know n building, which \\ as taken down about i860, 

si 1 at the corner of North Streel and Dock Square. It was built in 1680. 

Its overhanging stories and main gables, and other features, so different from 
the monotonous appearance of surrounding buildings, always rendered it an 
object of curiosity to strangers visiting Boston, and it is a great pity that it 
has not been preserved as a memento of by -gone times. 

Almost all kinds of business have been carried on here; among others 
the Simpsons kept a leather store here: hut why this particular business 
rather than any other should have become it-- cognomen, 1 am unable to saj . 



1 h 



PAIjL reveres house. 

This house stands on North Square, and was built in [678 b\ Robert 
Howard. It had afterward several owners, and in 1770 John Erving sold it 
to Paul Revere. He lived here about thirty years, and afterward removed 
to a brick house in Charter Street. 

The exterior has been materially changed. It had originally three 
windows in the upper story, and the trout door in the middle oi the lower 
story. 

Paul Revere was descended from a French Huguenot family. He was 
horn in Boston (where is not known), Dec. 21, 17. Wi- 
llis career as a leader in the great struggle for liberty and independ- 
ence is so well known that it is needless i" go into details. Alter th< 
of the war he resumed his business as a -old and silversmith and a manufac- 
turer of hells, for which he was very famous. The first hell he east was in 
[792. It weighed 912 pounds, and cost nearly C 7 5 . This famous bell is 

said to he still in existence. 



96 



THE CLOUGH HOUSE. 

This stands at the corner of Sheafe and Margaret Streets, and was 

built about i 7 j j by Benjamin Clough. h afterward came by marriage into 

V 1 ' famil) . and continued to be owned by them until 

It is the oldest house on the street. The front door used to be on the 

south side, where was a large garden. 



W8) 




isggmmm~7^^^~^ : /- :^^ i 



THE -HI 4KE Ih >l \/:. 

This very old house is in Dorchester; was built in 1650. by Deacon 
James Blake, [t stands in the reai oi Cottage Street. The descendants of 
Deacon Blake were prominent men in the town of Dorchester, as well as 
It is not certain, although quite probable, that this James Blake 
was a nephew of the celebrated Admiral Blake, who was horn at Bridgewater, 
in Somersetshire, England, in [598. The Admiral was an ardent Repub- 
lican, and did good service on land, as well as at sea. 






BIRTHPLACE OF EDWARD EVERETT. 

This was built about i 770. 

I Rev. Oliver Everett was pastor of the New Smith Church in Bos- 
ton in 1782, ami after giving up his pastorate there removed to Dorchester, 
ami in this house his son, the noted Edward Everett, was born in 1794. 

It stands on the corner of Boston and Pond Streets. It is said to have 
been occupied by General Washington. 

It is said that Koht. Oliver, a West India merchant, built this house. 






// ELLS MANSION. 

The oldest part of this building (the most prominent portion in the 
picture) was probably built about 1670, but by whom it is difficult to say. 
The farther portion is somewhat more modern. A. lam Winthrop owned it in 

ml afterward it passed through many ownerships. For nearly a hun- 
dred years past it has belonged to the Wells family. 

It is probably the oldest wooden building now standing at the North 
End of Boston; and its timbers are so substantial that it may last for many 
\ ears 3 et. 

It is the only old house left in Boston having two projecting stories ; 
and this fact alone is proof of its antiquity. 



,..., 



THE BADGER HOI SE. 

This old house is on Prime Street, corner of Thatcher Street, and was 
built about 17=''. probabl} by Benjamin Brown, and afterward owned by 
Caleb Champney. Col. Thos. Badger bought it in 1802. He was quite a 
prominenl man in his time. This building, which, quaint and somewhal 
dilapidated, has, with the exception of the simp in front, been very little 
1 hanged. 



(106) 



THE FANEUIL MANSION. 

'This large and handsome building stood nearly opposite King's 
Chapel, was built by Andrew F., the uncle of Peter Faneuil, and he became 
the wealthiest merchant in Boston. The Fane.uils were descended from a 
French Huguenot family, who fled from France to avoid persecution. Here 
In lived in a style that befitted his wealth and position. But he is best known 
for Ids munificent gift of the structure that bears Ids name to the town of 
Faneuil did not live long after the completion oi the Mali: and in 
i;''i it unfortunately caught fire and burnt to the ground. The new hall 
w as completed March i.j. 1 70 | . 

Miss Quincy thus describes this mansion: "The deep courtyard, 
ornamented by flowers and shrubs, was divided into an upper and lower 
platform In a high ^laeis, surmounted h\ a richly wrought iron railing. The 
edifice was of brick. The terraces that rose from the paved court behind the 
house weic supported by massive walis of hewn granite, and were ascended 
b>. flights oi steps. \ grasshopper glittered on a summer house which 
commanded a view second onlj to that from Beacon Hill." 






THE OUD CORNER BOOKSTORE. 

The land upon which this well-known building stands belonged, in 
the early days, to William Hutchinson. 

It afterward passed through several ownerships, and in the fire of Octo- 
ber, 171 i. the buildings which stood here wen- burnt down: and in the 
following year the present brick building was erected, by a Mr. Crease. 

I 1 tl '1 tte the property has been sold and re-sold, and, in i s i;. 
the fronl pari was used as an apothecary shop In Dr. Sam'] Clarke, father of 
the Rev. fas. Freeman Clarke, until 1828; since which time it has been 
famous as a bookstore. 

During all this time it has. of course, none through man\- alterations; 
so that at the present time it retains very few of its orginal features. 






THE ASVINWALL HOUSE. 

This i 'Id house, standing on Aspinwall Avenue, 1 1 1 line, opposite St. 

'aul's Episcopal Church, was built al i In Peter Aspinwall, who 

came from Toxteth Park, neai Liverpool, England, in i 630. ! le si ttled first 
in Dorchester, where he lived till [650, when he and Roberl Sharp bought of 
William Colburn the farm on which this house stands. The house has never 
been owned by any one hut a direct descendant of Peter Aspinwall. It is 
owned now by the Honorable William Aspinwall, to whom it was devised by 
his lather, the late Colonel Tin mi as Aspinwall, who died in 1876, and to whom 
it had been devised by his lather, the late Dr. William Aspinwall. who died in 
[823. Mr. Aspinwall is in the sixth generation from his ancestor Peter. 
Since 1803 the house has not been occupied by any member of the Aspinwall 
family, Dr. Aspinwall having moved in that year to the house built by him 
on the road to Watertown, now railed Washington Street. This last house 
is owned and occupied by the only grandson of its builder of the same name — 
the Honorable William Aspinwall before mentioned. 



di 



KING'S CHAPEL. 

tall wooden building was erected on this spot for conducting re- 
ligious servii irding to the forms of the Church of England, under the 
govern \ndros. but it was not until 17 |w that Governor Shirley laid 
the foundation stone of this quaint old edifice. 

In 1783, under the ministry of Mr. Freeman, the society abandoned 
of the Trinity, and thus the first Episcopal Church became the 
first Unitarian Church of New England. 

The first organ ever used in New England was given to this society, 
in 1713, 1\\ Thos. Brattle. 

In the hur\ ing ground adjoining lie the remains of Rev. John Cotton. 
I I'-ii-. also, wen- interred the following governors: John Winthrop, in 1649; 
John Endicott, [665; John Leverett, [679; and Wm. Shirley, 177 1 . besides 
many other eminent men. 



(>M) 



KIMBAL L -PARKER HOUSE. 

This peculiar old house stands on Unity Street : was built by El 
Kimball about 1710, or perhaps somewhat earlier, and he sold it to Caleb 
Parker in 1724, and it has continued in the possession of his descendants until 
the present time. The bricks are said to have been imported from England, 
and are larger than those in general use. It has wide bands similar to those 
in the Tremere 1 louse. 



(116) 



THE MAJHER-EL101 HOI Si . 

This is a portion of an old wooden building squeezed in between two 
larger buildings, near the north corner of Hanover and Bennett Streets. 

Built b} Increase Mather in [677, and here he died in 1723. Here his 
son, Cotton Mather, was born, and spent his early days. 

Ft afterward was owned by Rev. Andrew Eliot, and thru by his son. 
Jul in Eliot, D.D., who was born in [754, and who, alter preaching a few years 
in different places, was ordained as the successor oi his father, in iJ7<). pastor 
ol the new North Church, Boston. lie died in 1813. 

This house has been disfigured In a miserable little shop built in front 
of the lower story, and which is not represented in the picture. 






ORAhlGE-LlNCOLhl HOI W. 

This building stands at the corner of Salem and North Bennett 
Streets. It was built by Robert Orange, about [716, and he kept it as a 
tavern until his death, in 17s (• ' l - after changing hands several times, be- 
came the property of Noah Lincoln, who lived here until his death, in [856. 
Since that time it has undergone main- changes and alterations; but the old 
paneled chimneys still remain. 



1 . 



THE HARTT HOI SE. 

ill 1.1. STB Ml. 

Built, probably, about [740, l>\ Baker. The Hartts were greal 

shipwrights. 

Capt. Edmund limit built in his own yard the famous frigate " Con- 
stitution," and main other famous ships. 

Edward, his oldest son, bought this house, in [803, of the heirs oi 
AJex. Baker. 



IT.-.M 



CAPEN HOUSE. 

This was built by a descendant of Bernard Capen, who came to this 
country [633, and settled in Dorchester. He was a ver} old man when he 
came t<> this countrj . as he died five years afterward, aged seventy-six. I lis 
gravestone is supposed to have been the oldest in New England. 

This house is on Union Street, corner of Marshall Lane, and was for 
several generations owned and occupied by the Capen family. It was once 

the great dry-goods store ol Boston; and here Benj. Tl ipson (afterward 

Count Rumford) and Samuel Parkman served as apprentices to Hopestill 
Capen. 



124 



TILES WN HOUSE. 

COR. PRINCE Wl> MARGARET STREETS. 

John Tileston, who lived in this house, was the most noted school- 
master that Boston ever had. He was born in Boston, Feb. -7. 17. ,5. In 
1 7 f > j he was appointed master of the school in Bennett Street, at a salary of 
$500 per annum : and heir he remained until 1819, when he retired ; but his 
salary, which he- richly deserved, was continued to his death, Oct. £3, [826. 

This house where he lived so long was once a very pleasant domicile, 
shaded by trees, but it has been shockingly disfigured, and. added to that, it 

retains scarcely any semblance of its former respectability. He left no de- 
tnts. 






OCHTORLONY HOUSE. 

NORTH STREET. 

The exact age of this house is not known ; Dr. John Perkins lived here 
in [695. It was sold to Capt. Edward Martyn, in 1 7 1 7 . and his widow sold 
it to Andrew Tyler, whose wife was sister to Sir William Pepperell. In 17' 1 - 
it was purchased In Capt. David Ochtorlony, a son ol the Laird ofPitforthy, 
in Scotland. Captain Ochtorlony's sun David entered the British army, in 
which he attained high distinction, becoming a Major-General and a Knight 

G nd Cross of the Bath. I lis lather died in this house, and it has since 
had several owners, and the front on North Street has been entirely chang< d ; 
but the side and end retain their antique appearance, except the windows, 
which have modern sashes in them. 



("8) 




Z:< 



CIa)UGH-YERNON HOUSE. 

The old house stands on Vernon Place, off Charter Street, and was 
probably built by William Clough, as he was living here in [698. It is a 
fine specimen ol the houses built in early times. It will be noticed that the 
second story al the end overhangs the lower part considerably, which fact 
alone would attest its great age. The middle door and the stack of chimneys 
are also v\ orthv of m itice. 






CHRIST CHURCH. 

ON S VLEM STR E] T, I IPPl >S1 n III l.l. STR I I r. 

This is the oldest church edifice now standing in Boston, having been 
built in [723. Its style of architecture is very plain and simple, but is very 

substantially built. 

It possesses a chime of eighl bells, brought from England in [744, 
and here the first organ was placed in 17s' 1 : the present organ took its place 
\ ery recently. 

On the oth of October, [804, a violent storm blew down the steeple, 
and the present one was erected in [807, which is eighteen feet lower than 
the old one. but exactly similar to it in style. 

name of this building is Christ Church, but it is now gen- 
erally known as the " Old North Church." 

There is no reasonable doubt that it was from the windows of this 
church the lanterns were hung as a signal to Paid Revere, April 18, 1775. 

In front of the tower is a tablet with the following inscription: — 

-nil. SIGN \l. LANTERNS OF 

l'.\l I. REVERE, 

displayed in iii!'. steeple 01 this church 

April 18, 1775. 

W \l; M.h THE COl NTKV <il THE MARCH 
i 1 nr BRITISH rROOPS 1 1 I 

LEXINGTON \m> CONCORD. 







si 









\ ' 



OLD SOUTH MEETING-HOUSE. 

This, the third church organized in Boston, was built in 173c). replac- 
ing a wooden building. 

Many important meetings were held here at the breaking out of the 
Re\ 1 ilutionarv War. 

Benjamin Franklin, who was born in a house on the opposite side of 
the street, was baptized here. 

Its walls have resounded to the eloquence of Whitefield. 

Ii is no longer used for sacred services, but is a historical museum 
building. 






F/RS T MEET/NG-HOUSE. 

• 1\ represents the first meeting-house built by tin 
settlers ol Boston, as correctly as any other that has been before pictured of 
it. Wi 1 w >\\ little more than that its walls were built of clay or mud. and that 
it was covered with a straw roof. It stood opposite to, and very near, where 
the ' >hl Stair I louse now is. 



(136) 




WKK^B^^B^ i^^^^^^^ : ' ■ 



BLACKSTONE'S HOUSE. 

no certainty as to Blackstone's settlement 

m; but judging from what little we can glean from Winthrop's His- 
tory of Mew England, it is probable that he came from England, with Captain 
Wollaston, in [625, and left that company on Morton's arrival, and m 
settlement in 1626, so thai on the arrival of Winthrop he had been living 

>me three or four years. He sold out all his claim to the Winthop 
jn [i 

We find by the records that at a court 1 April, [633: ••his 
that Mr. Wm. Blaxton shall have 50 acres set out for him near to his house 
, forever." It is quite probable that he was a clergyman of 
the Chun h ol England, of a liberal turn of mind, and that he did not fall in 
with the strict and sombre notions of the Puritans, and therefore left them, 
to what is new Rhode Island, w lure he laid out a farm on the 
stream called after him, Blackstone River, a few miles from Providence. 1 [ere 
he lived until his death. Ma\ 26, [675. Hi vas married July 4, [659, to 
Sarah Stephenson, a widow, by Govern l ndicott. lie well improved 

his 1:1 apples from his farm were held in high repute. 

About a year after his death the Indians burnt his house, and a valu- 
able library was thus destroyed. 

I he proper spelling of his name was Blaxton, as this is the way he 
signed it at Emanuel College, Cambridge, wl k hi degrees of A.I!, 

and A.M., in 1 6 ; ai I [621. 

As he was alone when found by Winthrop's company, and had no 
means ol obtaining glass for his windows or shingles for his house, it was 
undoubtedly built of clay or mud. and covered with hay or straw . and the 
chimin bu rough stones, plastered with clay. It stood some- 

when 1 1 of Beacon and Charles Streets, vers near the water. 







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